Israel's Vehicle Fleet Grows by Nearly 128,000 in One Year
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israel's vehicle count has surpassed 4.35 million, with a net increase of nearly 128,000 vehicles in the past year. A Bank of Israel study reveals that road expansion paradoxically increases traffic, especially in cities, as new capacity is quickly filled by additional vehicles. Experts suggest prioritizing public transportation like buses and trains over further road construction due to land limitations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's vehicle fleet grew by nearly 128,000 in one year, reaching 4.35 million registered vehicles.
- A Bank of Israel study links road expansion to increased traffic, negating urban benefits.
- New road capacity is quickly filled by additional vehicles, particularly in cities.
- Experts state urban road expansion is limited by land scarcity.
- Developing public transport like buses and trains is recommended to ease congestion.
The number of registered vehicles in Israel has reached 4.35 million, with the national car fleet increasing by nearly 128,000 units over the past year, a 3% rise. Of the total, approximately 3.79 million are passenger cars, which saw a 3.2% increase. The remaining vehicles include trucks, motorcycles, buses, taxis, and special equipment.
Over the reporting period, more than 419,000 new vehicles were added to the roads, while around 292,000 were decommissioned or scrapped, resulting in a net increase of 127,865 vehicles. This data was released alongside a study by the Bank of Israel examining the systemic causes of traffic congestion.
Economist Gal Amadi's analysis found a direct correlation between road construction and increased traffic. A 10% expansion in urban road capacity leads to an approximate 7.5% rise in overall vehicle mileage. This phenomenon is largely driven by families acquiring additional cars, particularly young couples with moderate incomes, as soon as local roads become less congested.
The study concluded that the additional road space in densely populated urban centers is immediately filled by new traffic, negating the initial benefits of road construction. Outside cities, highway and interchange expansions do offer short-term relief by reducing traffic density.
Experts emphasize that the potential for expanding urban roads is exhausted due to land scarcity. They advocate for a shift in national priorities towards developing extensive bus lanes, rapid tram systems, and rail networks, which can transport more passengers within limited space.
